11 GREAT Hotels in Helen, GA (Plus 1 to Avoid)

Are you looking for the best hotels in Helen, GA? You’ve come to the right place. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this Alpine-themed town offers a range of accommodation options, including top-rated hotels, motels, B&Bs, inns, and cozy cabins. Read on to explore! 

Helen is a city in White County, Georgia, US, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its Bavarian-style architecture and alpine setting. The city was founded in the late 1800s as a summer resort destination and remains a popular tourist destination today.

Visitors to Helen can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, tubing, and shopping in the downtown area. Several festivals and events are held in Helen throughout the year, including Oktoberfest, which is held in the fall and features traditional German food, music, and entertainment. Helen is a wonderful place for a family vacation, a weekend getaway, or a day trip.

Lastly, if you’re planning a trip to Helen and have enough time, be sure to check out the Chattahoochee National Forest. It’s only a little over an hour away, making a great day trip from Helen.

Another great day trip from Helen is heading to Blue Ridge and enjoying the wineries. Check out my guide to Wineries in Blue Ridge for more info. For families, a great day trip is to take the kids apple picking in the mountains.

In this guide, I’ve curated a list of the best hotels to stay in Helen, GA, for your next getaway.

Valhalla Resort Hotel

Location: 688 Bahn Innsbruck, Helen, GA  

The Valhalla Resort Hotel, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, is the epitome of luxury and refinement. The resort enjoys a prime location above the Innsbruck Golf Club, surrounded by spectacular mountain views. 

Suites are spacious and modern and come with a full range of amenities. Choose from the Deluxe King Suite, Deluxe ADA King Suite, Penthouse King Suite, or Presidential Suite. Valhalla also offers bungalows, a private villa, and a townhome for the ultimate comfort.

The Valhalla Resort is a treat for outdoor enthusiasts, with tennis courts, a 0.75-mile hiking trail, and a guided safari showing Georgia wildlife in its native habitat. Valhalla is also a golf resort and has a stunning golf course as well as its own Golf Academy, headed by PGA pro Mike McCall. He offers group and private lessons and brings over 20 years of teaching experience helping people sharpen their golf swing. You can play 9 or 18 holes, and memberships are also available.

Valhalla’s spa is also a luxurious treat. From massages to energy work to body treatment, they have it all. Couples are welcome here too, and there are packages made just for couples looking for a relaxing day together. Their Solasta Signature Experience is 150 minutes, with a hot river stone massage, a foot massage and scrub, and a glass of wine from the spa wine list for the grand finale.

Black Forest Bed and Breakfast

Location: 8902 N Main St Helen, GA 30545

Located in the scenic town of Alpine Helen, the Black Forest Bed and Breakfast lies at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia.

The bed and breakfast is an excellent lodging choice featuring snug rooms, expansive suites, and delightful cabins. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, cable TV, and free WiFi. Some rooms also have spa baths, fireplaces, private balconies, or patios.

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, the Black Forest Bed and Breakfast offers luxury-themed cabins behind the B&B Main House. These cabins provide decks with panoramic mountain views, outdoor swings, and lovely pine cathedral ceilings, in addition to their selection of rooms and suites.

Conveniently located on Main Street, you’ll find many shops, restaurants, the Oktoberfest Festhalle, and a host of local attractions within walking distance. These attractions include Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, The Willows Pottery, Unicoi State Park, and the Chattahoochee Ruby Mines. 

Don’t miss the chance to enjoy some local shrimp favorites at nearby restaurants like Bigg Daddys Restaurant and Tavern, Bodensee Restaurant, or Cowboys & Angels Restaurant and Bar. It is also close to several outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking and fishing.

Helendorf River Inn, Suites & Conference Center

Location: 33 Munich Strasse, Helen, GA 30545

Located in downtown Alpine Helen, the Helendorf River Inn, Suites & Conference Center offers a scenic escape in the North Georgia Mountains. The inn features a variety of room types available, including standard rooms, pet-friendly rooms, suites, and cabins. 

Nestled along the Chattahoochee River, the property features riverfront accommodations. All the rooms are equipped with kitchens, private balconies, fireplaces, and jacuzzis. There is also a restaurant on-site and a bar and lounge area. We love the oversized private jacuzzis in some of the rooms! Moreover, the property provides ample parking for RVs, trailers, and motor coaches.

The hotel is located within walking distance of many of Helen’s attractions, including its downtown shopping and dining district. Other popular attractions include Helen Festhalle, Helen Tubing & Helen Waterpark, and many more. It is also close to many outdoor recreation opportunities, such as hiking, fishing, tubing, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, waterfall exploration, and scenic drives.

Heidi Motel​

Location: 8820 N. Main St. Helen GA, 35045

Located in the heart of Alpine Helen, the Heidi Motel is one of the city’s most iconic and most photographed landmarks. This charming motel provides a rejuvenating escape amid the nature and culture of the Bavarian Village heritage.  

This Alpine-themed property features unique windmill suites equipped with private patios and cozy fireplaces. These suites offer ample space for family reunions, business meetings, and wedding parties.  

The motel’s prime location allows easy access to bustling Alpine Village shopping districts, various restaurants, and lively entertainment. It is located within walking distance of many outdoor adventures like hiking trails, bike rentals, buggy rides, and waterfalls. 

Unicoi State Park is only a short drive away, where you can go fishing, canoeing, paddle boating, kayaking, and have family-friendly beach fun.

Biscuit Inn **Best Pet-Friendly

Location: 3573 Hwy, 356, Helen, GA

If you’re looking for pet-friendly hotels in Helen, GA, book a stay for your furry companion at the BIscuit Inn. The inn offers four dog-themed rooms equipped with amenities like dog food bowls, gourmet dog biscuits, and bone-shaped beds. 

The Duke has a king bed, while the Rocky room has a King bed and cozy fireplace. The Lady and Cookie rooms have two full-size beds per room. In addition to these amenities for four-legged guests, Biscuit Inn provides in-room amenities for human guests, like microwaves, refrigerators, coffee pots, and TVs. 

Each room features a private patio that overlooks the lush forest. Furthermore, a spacious deck by the creek provides a perfect spot to cool your paws amidst nature’s beauty. 

For outdoor entertainment, the inn provides access to various attractions like hiking trails of the North Georgia Mountains and scenic waterfalls of Helton Creek Falls, Anna Ruby Falls, and Raven Cliff Falls Trail.

Hampton Inn Helen

Location: 147 Unicoi Street, Helen, GA, 30545  

The Hampton Inn Helen, located in the center of Helen’s Bavarian Village, provides a lovely vacation amid North Georgia’s scenic countryside. And they’re not just any Hampton Inn – this one will transport you straight to Germany!

You can choose from a variety of room types featuring a King-sized bed, fireplace, and a soothing spa bathtub. Each room has thoughtful facilities such as a coffee maker, mini fridge, Heat/AC, microwave, and cable TVs to provide a comfortable stay. In addition, the hotel has an appealing outdoor pool and a well-equipped fitness room.

The hotel’s location near the Chattahoochee River provides easy access to the main street attractions. Cool River Tubing, Outpost Gold & Gem Mining, and The Antique Car & Buggy Museum are all less than a mile away.

The Alpine Carriage Company is conveniently located across the street and offers thrilling horse-drawn carriage excursions through Helen for only $10 per person. Chattahoochee Stables lies 4 miles away for those looking for a more immersive equine experience, offering scenic horseback riding tours along the river for $60 per person.

Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, outdoor adventures, or a peaceful vacation, Hampton Inn Helen has it all.

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Location: 8035 South Main Street, Helen, GA, 30545

Fairfield Inn & Suites, located along Main Street, is one of the best hotels to stay in Helen, GA. The inn offers a variety of rooms and suites equipped with modern amenities like free WiFi, laptop working places, refrigerators, and satellite TVs. Other features include a heated pool, a fitness center, and a business center.  

Start your day with the free breakfast, which includes fresh fruit and yogurt, scrambled eggs and omelets, sausage, and oatmeal. The property offers an on-site snack bar and a convenience store if you need extra munches.   

The Fairfield Inn & Suites enjoy a serene location surrounded by Georgia Mountains. Nearby attractions include Alpine Mini Golf, Hardman Farm Historic Site, Nora Mill Granary, and Mt. Yonah Book Exchange, making the property worth staying.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson **Best Budget

Location: 877 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545

The Country Inn & Suites is the best budget hotel in the area. Actually, their price point is similar to SureStay and Red Roof Inn, which we’ll talk about below, but they are much more highly rated. They are also in a great location, just behind South Main Street, where a lot of the action is. Amenities include a pool, free breakfast, free wifi, and a fitness center.

Overall, they have maintained a 4.5/5 review on TripAdvisor, with over 1,100 reviews and counting. That is just plain impressive, and those types of reviews are something you usually only see with much more expensive, luxury hotels. They’ve also got an 8.2/10 on Expedia, with over 1,000 reviews.

One thing to note is their pet policy. TripAdvisor lists it as pet-friendly, but this is not true. I checked the hotel website and they state that pets are not allowed here. 

Surestay Hotel by Best Western

Location: 8396 South Main Street, Helen, GA

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly hotel for your next family vacation, you may want to check out the SureStay Hotel by Best Western. Located right on Main Street in the center of Downtown Helen, the SureStay Hotel by Best Western is in a great location.

Each room is equipped with necessary amenities such as a refrigerator, microwave, satellite TV, and coffee maker, ensuring that guests have a comfortable and convenient stay. Some rooms have sofa beds, spa bathtubs, fireplaces, balconies, and breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains. The hotel also features a year-round heated indoor pool, outdoor patio, and attractive lounge furniture on the pool deck. 

Several notable Helen attractions are close to the SureStay Hotel, including the Georgia Mountain Coaster across the street, the exciting Raven Cliff Falls just 6.7 miles away, and the Babyland General Hospital in adjacent Cleveland, GA, which is only 8 miles away. Popular activities include exploring local shops, embarking on outdoor adventures, zip-lining, tubing, and visiting wineries.

Red Roof Inn Helen

Location: 8171 South Main Street, Helen, GA

Located in the heart of Helen, GA, Red Roof Inn is a great budget hotel that boasts a central location. Each guest room is equipped with a private bathroom, free WiFi, and cable TV featuring HBO channels.

Other amenities include a spacious outdoor swimming pool, a sun-soaked pool area with loungers, vending machines, and ample free outdoor parking. The hotel also offers free grab-and go-breakfast and a well-equipped business center.

The city-centered hotel offers a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions like the Anna Ruby Falls and the Helen Arts & Heritage Center.

For outdoor adventures, visit Nacoochee Indian Mountain Mound, Unicoi State Park, Chattahoochee National Forest, and Alpine Mini Golf. For family fun, Helen Tubing and Helen Water Park are worth visiting.   

Whether you’re looking for a family vacation or a business trip, Red Roof Inn Helen offers a restful and well-equipped retreat in the heart of Helen.  

Proceed Carefully: Budgetel Inn & Suites Plus

Location: 11 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA

If you’re on the hunt for affordable and well-located hotels in Helen, GA, Budgetel Inn & Suites Plus may be a decent budget option. It is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River, so the hotel provides a great location. 

It was recently renovated and now features all-new flooring and facilities such as mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, and microwaves in each room. They also serve a complimentary breakfast every morning. Budgetel Inn & Suites has a picnic area and a sun deck that you can enjoy during summer months.

The property is located 1 mile from downtown, and the famous Habersham Winery is about 0.5 miles away. The Outpost Gold & Gem Mining Co is 0.3 miles away, and Smithgall Woods State Park is around three miles away, so you’re just steps away from some of the area’s best outdoor spots.

​Reviews

Unfortunately, despite its great location and features, it not a highly-rated location, which is why I say to do your homework before booking it. There are only 4 reviews on TripAdvisor, but it is rated 2/5. There are 140 reviews on Expedia, which are definitely a mixture – some people have had great experiences, while others say it is terrible. Overall, it got around a 6-7 out of 10 in most service areas on Expedia. 

That’s not awful, but it’s not particularly good, either. So even if you’re looking for a budget hotel, you may want to also check out the other budget hotels listed in this post. 

Avoid: Hofbrau Riverfront Hotel

Location: 8949 North Main Street, Helen, GA

Hofbrau Riverfront Hotel, located in Alpine Helen, Georgia, offers 35 rooms with microwaves, refrigerators, free WiFi, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel has an outdoor seasonal pool, a 24-hour front desk, and free self-parking. They offer basic air-conditioned rooms similar in design to most budget hotels.

There is also an on-site restaurant, Hofbrauhaus Restaurant. Nearby local attractions include the Yonah Mountain Vineyards and Chattahoochee River.

Reviews

Hofbrau Riverfront Hotel is also sadly not highly rated. They are rated 2/5 with 174 reviews on TripAdvisor. On Yelp they are rated 1.1/5 with 29 reviews, and on Expedia guests rated them a 4.2/10 with 15 reviews. Previous guests note the hotel’s great location, but you can get that at many other hotels on this list too. 

With poor ratings on both TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Expedia, it’s difficult to imagine all those people are wrong – overall, check out other budget hotels on this list if you’re looking for an affordable stay. 

Hotels like Red Roof Inn or the SureStay might be better options to consider. Both are rated 3.5/5 on TripAdvisor, which is closer to the rating you would expect for cheap hotels.

The Bottom Line

From quaint bed & breakfasts with a comfortable, romantic environment to modern hotels with excellent amenities, Helen boasts a range of accommodation options. Whether you’re drawn to the Bavarian-inspired charm of Alpine Helen or the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, these hotels in Helen, GA, ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.